Students cry out over ‘grounded’ van

Students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) are not happy over the condition of their union’s official vehicle. The vehicle has been abandoned for over two months by Students’ Union officials, reports UCHECHUKWU EKWUEME-DURU (400-Level Industrial Technology Education).

That is the state of the official bus given to the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) in Niger State? This is the question students are seeking an answer to from management.

The condition of the 2000 model Toyota Sienna is generating ripples, following an allegation that it has been in bad shape since the school resumed last year.

The bus, CAMPUSLIFE gathered, was donated to the union by Governor Aliyu Babangida Muazu three years ago, when the then union leaders had an accident with the 2002 Honda Civic official vehicle.

Students were prompted to ask questions when the union officials could not use the bus for functions on campus. The bus, students alleged, may have been in bad shape because of improper maintenance.

Some students claimed that the bus engine has been damaged by the carelessness of union leaders. Some alleged that the bus could not be repaired, adding that this may be why it was abandoned at the Students’ Union office.

“The current state of this 12-seater bus is not only discouraging, but also annoying,” a Chemistry student said, adding: “The car has been parked and abandoned for two months.”

When CAMPUSLIFE visited the union building to assess the condition of the vehicle, our reporter found dents on it. A patch of engine oil spread under the vehicle. Also, there was dirt underneath the bus, indicating that it may have been grounded for long. The upholstery was also covered with dirt.

Students criticised the union officials for poor maintenance, asking the SUG to repair the bus or face students’ wrath.

A SUG official, Justice Nwaigwe, a 400-Level-Physics student, told CAMPUSLIFE why the bus was abandoned for so long. “We have been explaining to students why the bus is left in the condition it is. We feel the pain more than the rest of our colleagues. We know it does not speak well about the union, especially under our leadership, but we are trying to put things in place. Currently, we are making plans to get a new vehicle for the union. After this is done, we will then look into the condition of the Toyota Sienna bus to know if it can be repaired.”

Students expressed their grievances on the state of the bus, accusing the union leadership of incompetence.

Salim Maikudi, a 200-Level Water Resources and Aquaculture Technology student, said: “I don’t know the reason why that van has been parked there since January but no matter the reason, it is not justifiable. I will simply say that it doesn’t portray the union in good light.”

Andrew Chinaza, a 300-Level Cyber Security Services student, bemoaned the development, saying: “I wonder how our SUG leaders feel when they walk pass that vehicle every day. It is bad to know that the vehicle has been in this poor state for over two months and students have not asked them to repair it. I hope our SUG officials would see reason in this and act on it immediately.”